Feya glared at him. "Hush, Ladisias. When you finally fall in love, you'll understand there are many things that can make one late to dinner, especially the weeks following a wedding." She flashed Eramus a mischievous smile and a wink.
Heat rushed up the back of his neck and into his ears. Feya’s exuberance exceeded Yelene’s, something Eramus thought impossible until he met his cousin. However, he suspected Feya’s excitement was, in part, because she now had a sister. She and Evree had spent hours together already, and his wife likely knew his cousin better than he did.
"Well, don't stand about," said Yelene, giving him and Evree a gentle push on the back. "Come sit down."
Inara appeared from the tiny kitchen, carrying a basket of fresh-baked bread. Eramus's stomach grumbled as his mother passed by him, wafting the smell into his nostrils. Catching his expression, Ladisias chuckled. "Now you know how I've felt the last hour. Try sitting in here while Inara and mother cook. It's nothing short of torture."
Eramus agreed. Before their marriage, he and Evree had lived with his aunt and uncle for a week, dealing with the tantalizing dinner smells each evening would bring while they constructed a cottage of their own. Magic had assisted in the quick building of his new home, a fact he was grateful for. Not only had he wanted to marry Evree as soon as possible, but living in this cramped space with so many people had overwhelmed him. Aldeth and Yelene had started on a cottage for his mother as well; soon she would have a place of her own, right next to them.
They all gathered around the table and partook of the delicious meal before them. Not so long ago, Eramus had only Inara to call family, but now his life and heart were full. The smiling faces and laughter flooded his soul with warmth.
"Feya, have you and Strauth decided on any names?" asked Evree, setting her fork on her empty plate.
"Not completely. We still don't have a name for a girl, but I think we've settled on one for a boy."
Yelene wiggled in her chair, the suspense clearly more than she could bear. "Oh! Please tell us."
Feya looked to Strauth, and wide grins stole over both of their faces. They were having one of their moments again. The world around them apparently melted away as they passed each other adoring looks. Eramus bit his lip to contain a chuckle and elbowed Evree in the side. She smacked his leg and gave him a disapproving frown.
Ladisias held a fist to his mouth and cleared his throat…loudly.
"We've decided to name a son after Strauth's father," said Feya, ignoring her brother's teasing smirk. "Fyord, for a boy."
Yelene sighed, her eyes glazing over. "What a wonderful way to honor the general."
Eramus turned to face her. The general? Strauth's father had been a general? The new information made his stomach twist. His father had held rank in Izarden's army, one just below the general, and Eramus couldn't help but wonder if Strauth's father had known his own. It was another question to store in his pocket until he could talk to Yelene. He hadn't dared to breach the subject with Aldeth around. His uncle seemed uninterested in discussing anything to do with Strauth, a clear resentment towards the man married to his daughter and one that Eramus didn't understand.
Aldeth ran his fingers through his hair and smiled, although Eramus could tell he forced the expression. "That's wonderful, Feya. General Fyord was a good man."
Strauth averted his gaze and rubbed his hand over his mouth. Whatever animosity existed between them, Eramus could see it bothered the man. Why Aldeth, someone he knew to be kind and slow to anger, would find contempt with Strauth, he didn't know.
But he would find out.
The questions had eaten away at him long enough. He just needed to speak with Yelene alone.
Eramus leaned towards Evree. "You should have Aldeth send off your letter. It's getting late."
Evree turned to face Aldeth, and her unspoken request brought an immediate smile to his face. "Of course. We can go right now."
He rose, and Evree moved to follow him, but Eramus's soft touch on her arm made her pause. "I'll join you in a little while. I'd like to speak with my aunt."
His gaze flicked to Yelene. She'd heard him, and judging by the small nod she returned, she knew what he wanted. He needed answers. As much as he'd come to know about his father's past, there were still details requiring clarity.
Strauth stood and held out his hand to his wife. "We should get home. Feya needs to rest."
Feya scowled at him. "Just because I'm with child doesn't mean I need to sleep all day. I can handle dinner with my family."
"Oh, you certainly handled dinner just fine," said Ladisias, swiping his light brown hair from his eyes. "I think you ate twice the amount of everyone else."
Feya ignored him.
"Then how about an evening walk with your husband?" Strauth asked, offering her his hand again with a lopsided smile.
To that, she answered with a grin and accepted his hand. Feya held her rounded belly as he lifted her from the chair. "Goodnight everyone," she said with a cheerful wave.
Ladisias leaned onto the table and propped his chin onto his fist. "Don't pop on the way home."
Feya stopped at the door and glared at him. "If you don't stop teasing me, I'll popyou…right in the nose."
